5 Things I Advise New Arrivals Moving to Croatia
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- Опубліковано 7 січ 2023
- Croatia is a wonderful place to live, although it is certainly not easy. Having lived here for 20 years, I have made all the mistakes possible - and more - and have been very frustrated by a number of things.
In order to lessen the pain for those coming after more with plans of living in Croatia, here are 5 things I advise people to take into consideration when moving to Croatia, in order to have a better experience.
Want to learn more about the realities of living in this flawed but majestic country? Our new book, Croatia, a Survival Guide for Foreigners is now available on Amazon. www.amazon.com/Croatia-Surviv...
Video produced by Igor Vuk of Wolf Media.
For your daily dose of Croatia, check out www.total-croatia-news.com
Follow Paul Bradbury on LinkedIn - / paul-bradbury-58662a85
You are so right about the complaining. Just the other day I was sitting in a cafe with a colleague of mine and realized we are complaining about how much our people like to complain. Now, no other nation can beat that level of complaining!
haha, it is not just the complaining, it is the total apathy about turning that complaining into action to bring change.
🤣thats hilarious
@@PaulBradbury I agree. In Ireland people are complaining all the time - but they're not going to just let it go. They're going to do something about about it.
Hi Paul , I love your channel. Iam from Hungary , Budapest. Last summer we bought a small flat in Island of Krk, Croatia. I smiled when I watched your video.:-) I tried to learn croatian it is very difficult. It is funny when I start to speak to my old local neigbours (Dobre Dan, kako ste? Danas imamo lijepo vrijeme! etc) They started to complain the prices and goverment and taxes and Prime Minister ! :-) I always agreed.. meanwhile we are in a beautiful country, hot sun shining, the Sea is blue and girls are very nice.. so funny!
Krk is beautiful - good choice! We will be having Krk videos later in the year, so subscribe if you want to see more.
I'm from Island of Krk, I'm pretty sure you've spoken to my neighbours xD
@@PaulBradbury Paul, honestly if you come here, I'd love to meet you and have a beer (Not Zuja tho). I'm becoming a fan xD
P.S. I also have some footage from Krk that you might use.
These are good advices!
As a beer enthusiast and someone who works with lot of foreigners, one of my first advices for them when they visit here is to avoid Ožujsko.
Luckily, there is a lot of good beer to be found in Croatia, not only in the craft scene.
haha, we should form a support group
@@PaulBradbury That's a good idea :)
Ozujsko is just something to drink if your only goal is to get drunk
I've drank craft beers, Paulaner and Velebitsko for the last 5-6 years, and recently I came around and started ordering Ožujsko again. I must say as mass produced beers go, it is not really that bad. People just like to complain here:)
Are people still drinking the beer at room temperature? My Dad, back in the 80s when he and Mum returned to Croatia, couldn't believe that everyone drank their beverages un-chilled. They were big on not consuming anything "mrzlo".
I have to thank you, once again, for your great effort of showing Croatia in real life, bu especially because you're doing this in very honest and 'real life' manner, not as some kind of advertising but straight look on the real situation.
It is a great place, and I think keeping it real helps get the message over better. it is not perfect, but it is pretty good.
Oh, you got Niktitanik to illustrate your book!
The cover is the best thing about the book - no need to actually read it. Nik is a legend.
@@PaulBradbury I feel like most Croats would recognise that style anywhere
Dear Paul. I will say I wanna give you a bigg huug and thank you for doing this. Aplauz. Za sve što radiš. And this warning about beer Ožujsko at the end is perfect ending. Cheers ane all the best in this New Year.
Haha thanks. Lots more coming if want to subscribe. Next vid - How to Beat Croatian Bureaucracy: Proven Method
@@PaulBradbury plus I am subscribed as well. Enjoy your day.
Very good video
Thanks - lots more coming if you want to subscribe
Žuja je zkon! Great job! Hvala puno!
Haha thanks - lots more coming if you want to subscribe
@@PaulBradbury Subscribed!
As a ZG native: Avoid Žuja! At all costs! This is (sadly) true. 30yrs ago those words would be an insult, but today it's a safety warning. Zagrebačka Pivovara sold the brewery long time ago so now it's a part of a foreign low end poison making facility. So, yes, don't drink it, it's really bad. Croatia has many other beer names and a lot of micro breweries, so enjoy exploring. Well done Paul! P.S.: VELEBITSKO by Ličanka. You can thank me later. Cheers/Živjeli!
Good call on Velebitsko
@@PaulBradbury It's the water. And man running things (the owner) is a stubborn man that takes no shortcuts. Ličanin! (a man from Lika). Cheers.
As a born Croatian complaining from other Croatian people really tick me off, basically to the level of me leaving the room, also agree on Žuja, quality of it really went "south" since late 90s, maybe early 2000's, tnx for great videos about Croatia
Haha thanks - good to see we agree on the most important thing
Started following your channel recently and I am very impressed! I can see that Croatia has changed you and that you are not a typical westerner. I also love all of your ideas for tourism and making it not only focus on Dalmatia in June, July, August but the rest of Croatia in all 12 months of the year. I also wanted to ask you if you are familiar with the region Gorski Kotar in Croatia and if you have any ideas for improving tourism there, it is a shame that this region is not used for skiing in the winter and for it's beautiful nature during summer...
haha, not a typical Westerner, not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Gorski Kotar is gorgeous - I am overdue a trip there to look at some promo work - it is a little gem.
I think there are some ski runs in the Ogulin area. Or there used to be.
It's full of national parks, myb that's why they don't people skiing there
@@richard_from_england333 nope. It is not cause of national parks. I'm native Croatian and we don't have enough good climate for such sport. Bosnia and Slovenia have better climate for winter sports. We have very few ski slopes. the most famous one is in Zagreb on Medvednica mountain. But the most beautiful is on Platak close to Rijeka (city) and it has beautiful view
You are absolutely right about Ožujsko pivo! It really suck. I never liked it. I always go for either Karlovačko, Velebitsko or Zlatni Pan. 😎
My favourite is Lasko but I get accused of being anti-Croat every time I post a photo with the Great Slovenian Goat.
I enjoy Tomislav or even better Grička vještica
@@PaulBradbury Yeah, Zlatorog is also very good.
@@PaulBradbury who cares.. i'm Croatian and only drink Laško if possible. Like you said yourself, we do like to complain about anything..so Britt living in Croatia and drinking Slovenian beer is just great topic to complain about :)
Karlovacko is a great beer. I don't mind Ozusko which is a lot better than VB which is popular with alcoholics here in Australia.
Žuja je zakon!!! Sve drugo on point mate!👍
Haha
Absolutely agree with you, the Žuja and Karlovačko worst beers ever, after second I have headache.
Lasko is my favourite, for sure.
@@PaulBradbury Laško is Slovenian. My favourite Croatian beers are croft beers and zlatni Pan.
Once one guy (an Englishman), whose grandfather is a Serbian, and because of that he is so amazed with Serbia and Balkans, wrote how we have excellent brandy on Balkans (Sljivovica), excellent beer and excellent wine. I responded like this:
On Balkans the beer has to be very cold, otherwise it tastes like pee. They mix red wine with Coke, and white wine with sprinkled water. You cannot explain to some westerner why you would like to detroy the taste of wine with those things, but that way, actually, improve the taste of Balkan wines, or, at least, this waters it down (it is not that I didn't drink excellent wine in some obscure "konobas" on the coast, :) ). When I drink whisky I take a little sip and chew it for minutes in delight, the only thing that Balkan brandy has is its strength, it is not made for your enjoyment, but to make you drunk.
Regarding the wine mix, we will have a dedicated video on this in a few months, as well as one coming shortly on the Biklijada festival and drinking bikla - young red wine and goat milk.
Zagrebačka pivovara, the biggest brewery in the country is a part of Molson Coors Brewing Company since 2013, and I think that has something to do with quality. I remember Ozujsko being really good beer while I lived in Zagreb 30+ years ago :)
I find the other beers quite drinkable - Niksicko, Vukovarsko, Pramen etc - just Zuja is a tough one to down
@@PaulBradbury Yeah, well, those other beers are still made by local breweries, while "Zagrebacka Pivovara" sold it's soul to Molson. All Molson Beers are pretty much generic crap :(.
Could you please go to "Studenac" and buy "Maxinger" beer and let me know how you like it. I tried it on my last visit, surprisingly good and cheap.
Good articles BTW, thank you.
If you like beer and want to try a good Croatian beer, much better than "Žuja" is Vukovarsko, Velebitsko or Zlatni medvjed beer. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with those three beers. When I'm a guest and someone offers me "Žuja", I reply: "Do you have any wine", because I know they don't have any good beer at their house if they offer me "Žuja".
Haha, i also drink Vukovarsko. It is produced by same guys as Zuja, no? Not sure how the taste quality can be so different
@@PaulBradbury Yes, the owner of Vukovarsko sold his company several years ago, but I haven't noticed a drop in quality. I didn't have any headaches either.
Regarding beer, try Tomislav (named after the first Croatian king): it's a dark ale, thick, sweet and bitter, usually hard to find becase few stores carry it. Goes best with wood-grilled pork chop steaks, lettuce salad seasoned with vinegar and olive oil, and french fries.
Yep, Tomislav is pretty good
I watched a few videos from your channel and your opinions are spot on, couldnt better describe croatia myself. But the one i always tell my foreign friends is to avoid zuja, it is not the worst beer on earth but it is not really good either.
Haha tx - lots more coming if you want to subscribe.
There are great Croatian beers such as Walkow Blonde Ale, Walkow Pale Ale, all Grif beers, all San Servolo beers, etc.
You are right regarding Ozujsko. Zuja, Karlovacko and other lager mass production beers (I call it instant Cedevita production) will give you gases, stomach acid or headache.
Yes the craft beer scene here has really grown in recent years
👍❤️
I was born in Croatia but left at the age of four. My father is dead and I have inherited land left to him by his mother. The division of land/lands was overseen by my cousin and at first glance it is not an equal apportionment to the beneficiaries. It is my understanding that unraveling entitlements is a protracted and costly undertaking. Do you have some knowledge of such matters? Thank you. Greatly appreciate your segments. Fascinating and interesting to see the areas not normally covered by tourism agencies.
Email paul@total-croatia-news.com Subject Property and explain all this, and I can put you in touch with a service which can help.
I know. Karlovacko is so much better!
Karlo over Zuja any day
Hello, I appreciate the good information you give us, I am an entrepreneur I want trace to Croatia on a digital nomad visa I also I an account but in a cooperative bank don't know if is OK? If I can also travel with my dependent?
bravo za zuju
Haha
Žuja is THE best beer in the World! Don't avoid it; try it.
Well I have never heard it called that before, even from the biggest Zuja fans. Keep taking the medicine.
@@PaulBradbury I know a commercial. It reads: "žuja je zakon"! Tell me - would the people understand what this means?
@@branislavkonjevic9159 yes, that the product has a good marketing department. Which it does.
@@PaulBradbury The best marketing is the truth!
a sip of Ožujsko from a plastic bottle left in the car for a few hours on a hot summer day actually killed Thanos. Thanos drank it and he died.
Interesting comment about "if you can make it, you can make it anywhere". I've been looking at Croatia for CNC manufacturing. Are you saying the business environment (corruption, redundant paperwork, etc) is such a burden that Croatia isn't really that viable compared to other nearby countries?
Croatia doesn't have the best reputation as a place to invest historically, but things are changing, and there is a lot more transparency than before. The likes of Rimac are playing their part in pushing that change, at least in my opinion, and there is a great start-up scene. If you can get the right people at the start in 2023, I think the chances are much better. If you want me to connect you to some good people who can help, drop me a mail to paul@paul-bradbury.com and I will see if I can help. Include a few paras on the business and your plan.
@@PaulBradbury I visited in ‘09 and thought they were doing well; ten years later visited and saw way less activity in Rijeka-Zagreb corridor!
Money isn't a problem. You can get bank loans, EU funds and other programs offer money for start-ups.. It's the paperwork, bureaucracy and all the people not wanting you to succeed
6. Start drinking rakija, it will bring you joy and some new friends in Croatia:)
haha, that is probably the worst advice ever given to mankind. I just can't handle the rakija here. The worst bit is I have never met a Croat who says that his domaca rakija is not the best in the world. And 99% of them are very misguided. You guys make rakija from literally anything.
@@PaulBradbury Necessity and resourcefulness pushed us to make it from anything that can be distilled:) But there are some that are really very good.
@@PaulBradbury Rakija is like moonshine, it can kill you lol... I'm Croatian and never liked rakija
@@PaulBradbury I'd classify rakija somewhere between light and heavy drugs, leaning more to the latter. It's an experience
@@GameWatcher545 haha just like the Osijek Wine Festival where I am now - #DeathByGrasevina
Hello Paul, you really do a great job and it's very interesting to watch your videos. I know it's a sensitive topic, but maybe it would be great if you made a video about politics in Croatia, terrible bureaucracy, nepotism,uhljebištvo(baš me zanima kako bi tu rijec preveo na Engleski)... I'm really interested in your point of view on something that 30 years of destroying the development of this beautiful country!
We have an intro to the mighty state of uhljebistan video coming soon
@@PaulBradbury cannot wait to se that... 🥳 I believe it is going to be stuffed with juicy things
Can you make a video on how emergency medical service or doctors work on the islands. I had an incident and was very disappointed and actually turned off about ever returning to Croatia. Of course I will because I am an eternal optimist . when I went to one of their small emergency clinics - I ended up waiting two hours for the the staff to disappear and leave us there without an explanation or what time they were returning. No AC on a hot day in a small waiting room with some of us trickling outside under the sun waiting. Besides that they were very rude, zero compassion for a young man who was very ill never mind the rest of us. Fortunately, some Croatian said that if we needed antibiotics the pharmacy soon would close and that the clinic wouldn’t give us any. So those of us who could walk rushed to the nearest one and begged for medicine. Only those of us who had diagnosis or names of doctors on our phones could get some medicine the rest nothing - some went back to wait to the clinic and it was evening - not knowing if they ever would get help. I can’t imagine what the old people do on those islands if they have a stroke or heart attack. I’ve heard of being airlifted but from what I observed the rude, slow pace of the staff could have cared less of someone was suffering from a heart issue Or infection. I can’t imagine any speedy help. I hope am wrong. Please do a video on this am sure many of us who want to move there that might have health issues would appreciate it.
Sorry for your bad experience, which is very different to my own. I lived on Hvar for 13 years, and once we had to get my daighter to emergency in Split. The helicopter arrived in 15 mins, and she was in the hospital within 30 mins of the call. I have had nothing but very positive experiences with health issues on the islands, but perhaps I have been fortunate.
Agree....!!!
Žuja is the worst beer!
True story
Ožujsko pivo could hardly be called a Croatian beer, because Zagrebačka pivovara is owned by Molson Coors, an American-Canadian multinational drink and brewing company incorporated under Delaware General Corporation Lawand headquartered in Golden, Colorado and Montreal, Quebec.
The company brews, markets and sells the Molson Coors portfolio of brands. Molson Coors operates breweries across the world, including the Molson Brewery in Montreal, Quebec, Blue Moon Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado, Borsodi Brewery in Bőcs, Hungary, Coors Brewery in Golden, Colorado, Creemore Springs Brewery in Creemore, Ontario, Fraser Valley Brewery in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Leinenkugel Brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Miller Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Pardubice Brewery in Pardubice, Czech Republic, and the Staropramen Brewery in Prague, Czech Republic.
Yes, I am aware of that, just as Karlovacko is now Heineken. They also produce Niksicko, Budweiser, Vukovarsko etc which taste a lot better than Zuja, at least in my opinion. Was Zuja better before it got sold?
@@PaulBradbury Žuja is the same taste of beer as I know it for ca. 20+ years...and is great!
@@PaulBradbury
I don't drink beer at all, any kind of beer so i can't help you. Sorry....
@@a.m.c475 I am really happy for you - and for Zuja. You keep drinking it so I don't have to...
@@PaulBradbury you know the old saying "o ukusima se ne raspravlja" and I can add one more "mišljenje je ko šupak..svako ga ima"..
I respect your opinion and taste and I'm not defending Ožujsko but it a commercial lager beer...like all commercial lager beers they don't fit in the ranks of something worth mentioning.
I tend to rank beers how they "taste" the day after I drank a lot of then...and Ožujsko is one of those beers that don't put you to bed
I have to file complaint. Zuja quality changes from year to year. I remember they had some good years.
Were you drunk in the good years?
@@PaulBradbury Yes zuja was essentiall in my alcoholic formative years. At some time it was even subsided by government, along with the food (for university students). Now when self management socialism is over I had to settle with Allagash white, but still missing Zuja from time to time
Ambasador Dalmacije u svijetu!
Jesi li naučio pivati "dalmatinac sam, tu sam rođen ja, plavo more..."? 😄
Yes, but my singing sucks
@@PaulBradbury 😄, nije važno kako pivaš, nego što osjećaš dok pivaš! Baš bi te volio čut, možda u suradnji sa Torcidon 😄👍
Is it hard to learn Croatian ..I failed Spanish three times 😬
Seriously, if you can't even learn Spanish don't even bother with a Slav language!
Žuja is the law! and it is industrial lager and by that it is as good as any other of its type in the world.the beer lovers from beerreport said that Ozujesko is concrete and best croatian beer is Grička vještica. well Grička is craft...medvedgrad has excellent varieties of beer,nobody can argue that
Haha, i think the Zuja je Zakon slogan is awesome, as is their marketing in general. Agree with you e Gricka. Am a big fan of Plavusa from Zadar and Barba from Split, as well as the craft guys from Vinkovci
Žuja je zakon
I love your content i love to see foreigners trying to adapt to lifestyle in Croatia , but cmon you cant say zuja is bad man
Haha there are some things foreigners cant adapt to, zuja being one
Žuja is good as any other croatian beer. Depends on preferences.
Yep, complaining about cost of living, politicians, corruption, and everything else is a national sport in Croatia.
I'd say, it's even more popular than football.
Sitting in a cafe with your buddies, drinking your espresso for two-three hours, then jumping into your Mercedes to drive home is a a Croatian distinguishing habit.
I wish I could do the same in Montreal, haha!
The best at it, however, are Dalmatians. They're real masters at it.
By the way, nothing to do with the subject, did you know there are no property taxes on houses or land in area around Slunj?
It's considered a "devastated area" - from the war.
But God help you if you want to buy a house or some land there. Properties have sometimes 20-30 owners, many dead by now, many living in other countries, some who nobody knows who they are, and many who are not sure if they want to sell.
Then you get some people who own a ruin or a small piece of land near Plitvice Lakes who will sell, but for higher price than a large beautifully furnished country home in Cote d'Azur. The ruin doesn't have a roof, has no water, no electricity, no gas, no road access, but hey, it's in Plitvice!
The people there can drive me crazy, but I love the place anyways.
Stupid, eh?
Croatia, the Land of Paradox - this is one of my favourite articles on TCN www.total-croatia-news.com/25-things-to-know-about-croatia/12045-25-odd-facts-about-life-in-croatia-a-land-of-paradox
Avoid Žuja :) Time for me to subscribe ;)
Haha vrh
Ovo za Žuju ti nikada neću oprostiti 😄
Haha, some things just can't be forgiven
Ha ha take that žuja, beer number one in Croatia
It is one of the many things I will never understand about this magical land. It is clearly me.
@@PaulBradbury From Croatian beers I'd say San Servolo is one of the best.
@ yes, and their restaurant has a great menu. Beer soup, beer stew and dessert beeramisu. Think tiramisu
also learn a few curse words and pronounce them as bad as you can.we find it to be funny probably a little bit of child in everybody but it literally melts peoples hearts👌
Haha true story
karlovacko is better basic alternative
Agree
Žuja is not good? Are you for real Paul? That’s the best beer ever!!! 🍺 everyone come to Croatia and try the Ožujsko now , haha! 😂
I guess it is the final test to become a true Croat - an appreciation of the Zuja magic. And why I will never quite get there.
@@PaulBradbury
try Vugava, Vis wine, chilled at 11, with some sea food,
beer is a drink for barbarians
@@beppogiglio I have drunk a lot of Vugava in my time. To be honest, I prefer Bodanusa, but my favourite island white is Grk
@@PaulBradbury
blasphemy, blasphemy.....
Most High, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of his heart and give him correct faith, sure hope and perfect love; sense and knowledge, Lord, to do your holy and true will."
Saint Francis of Assisi
No worries, i also drink žuja only if i really have to, and always prefer laško
i dont agree with last part😀
Haha, and that's ok
Paul, do you think we have it better here in Croatia than we want to admit? We complain too much about things just for the sake of it?
P.S I hope ur Man.United fan :D
Everyone has their own experience, and life is definitely tough here with the corruption, nepotism, low wages etc, but the mindset is also default negative. I am loving this new generation of Croat with a much more positive mindset, determined to make things work. We have started a really interesting series on TCN called Living the Croatian Dream: Living in Croatia, Earning Internationally. Key things in common in each interview - positive mindset and determination. You can follow the series here - www.total-croatia-news.com/tag/remote-croatia
We have it better.. No one is starving, we can afford the newest car, newest phone, pc, even a house.. we are extremely safe, beautiful country etc.. It's just the mentality of the people here that's extremely negative
Who exactly are you talking about, being able to afford the newest car etc?
I'd rather drink pure water than that liquid shit called Ožujsko. Vis a vis learning Croatian...yap, you're right...whereever you go, people always appreciate it when they see that someone is even trying to integrate by learning a foreign language.
Haha, I actually drink tea if it is the only beer on offer. Was looking forward to a few beers at The Cure concert in October, until I saw what was on offer.
@@PaulBradbury When visiting Zagreb next time, try out the "Čeh pub" in the town center. 😉😉
@@zeljanpopovic6994 haha i know it well. I miss the days when it was 10 kuna for half a litre of toceno
Žuja je zakon 😂
No wonder the Croatian justicexsystem is in trouble
@@PaulBradbury good one, geez, it really is.😰
Finally someone else said it...Ozujsko sucks :D Karlovacko is so many times better.
Now there are two of us
Agree about Žuja, it is rubbish!
I couldn't possibly comment.
Fact: Croatia is the ONLY country in the world where Chinese emigrants couldn't make it in 😂😂
FINALLY!! Somebody has the balls to say that "Žuja" sucks. Couldn't agree more. The worst Croatian beer imo
Haha, I don't disagree
Žuja is so bad. Only good domestic beers are Osječko and Vukovarsko
And Vukovarsko is made by the same brewery as Zuja, isn't it?
@@PaulBradbury same company but different brewery.
Avoid Zuja and only drink "Velebitsko".
Thank me later
100% agree on the first part, and I love Velebitsko, but also several others.
Žuja je zakon!
If the beer was as good as the slogan...
You don't know enit about cro
Everything is wonderful until you face the Croatian bureaucracy. Then the dream becomes a nightmare.
Actually I quite like the bureaucracy in a twisted way www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/64242-bureaucracy-and-mindset
Žuja je lošija i od najjeftinijih poljskih piva iz Lidla.
haha, i hear you
I agree with most of the things you said, except for the cultural shocks. Croatia lives western values just as other EU countries. Got some French and American neighbors. None of them had cultural shocks. Might be different on the islands tho.
Send them to Slavonija and they'll be flabbergasted
@@richard_from_england333 villages same as everywhere.